The Pakistan Cricket Board has submitted a preliminary squad to the International Cricket Council for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, adopting a flexible selection strategy ahead of the global tournament.
Sources say the provisional list includes senior players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, along with several cricketers currently involved in Pakistan’s T20 setup. Under ICC regulations, teams are allowed to make changes to their squads without approval until January 31, 2026.
The PCB is expected to announce the final World Cup squad after Pakistan’s T20 series against Sri Lanka, where selectors plan to closely assess player form and fitness. An upcoming home T20 series against Australia is also likely to influence final decisions.
One notable omission at this stage is Mohammad Rizwan, whose absence indicates that the wicketkeeper position remains open. Team management is monitoring multiple options before making a final call. Shaheen Afridi’s place in the final squad is also dependent on his recovery from injury, with replacement options identified if required.
After the January 31 cut off, any squad changes will require approval from the ICC Technical Committee and must be supported by medical or exceptional circumstances. This has prompted the PCB to retain selection flexibility rather than finalize the squad early.
The T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting on February 7. Pakistan will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka, beginning their campaign in Colombo.
With limited time remaining before the tournament, Pakistan’s approach reflects a focus on balance, form and fitness, using the remaining international fixtures to finalize a competitive squad for the world event.
